Barbera Thornhill to lead US anti-trafficking office

Barbera Thornhill has been confirmed as the new head of the US State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, tasked with leading American diplomatic efforts against human trafficking and modern slavery. Thornhill, a business leader and philanthropist rather than a career diplomat, was confirmed by a narrow 51-47 Senate vote in August after being nominated by President Trump in May 2026. Her office oversees the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which rates governments' anti-trafficking efforts and serves as a diplomatic pressure tool. Thornhill's background includes running an LA design firm and serving children's charities, with a prior near-appointment as ambassador to Singapore in 2020. Her new role focuses on prosecuting traffickers, protecting victims, and preventing exploitation through international coordination.